An abrupt change at the top at Supervalu could spell more aggressive cost cutting, store closures and other overhauls for the Eden Prairie-based grocery store giant, given the history of the company’s new CEO Wayne Sales.

Despite some dismal economic reports in recent months, there seems to be a bit of optimism in what the CEOs of the largest Minnesota-based companies have been telling analysts in earnings calls. Some executives, including George Buckley of 3M Co. or Richard Davis of U.S. Bancorp, say people will see a real recovery eventually.